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In its latest forecast, the National Hurricane Centre said: “There is the potential for Hector to bring some impacts to portions of the Hawaiian Islands by the middle of next week, but it is too soon to specify the magnitude of the impacts or where they could occur.

“This is a good time for everyone in the Hawaiian Islands to ensure they have their hurricane plan in place.”

Hector, which is predicted to cross into the Central Pacific by Sunday, is moving west at about 12mph, forecasters said.

The experts revealed the storm was expected to continue on the same trajectory over the weekend.

Hector is expected to intensify over the weekend, though at a reduced rate. (Image: NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Hurricane-force winds extend outwards up to 15 miles from the centre, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outwards up to 70 miles, making the storm a real and present danger to those in its path.

The storm’s current path shows it would be roughly 160 miles south east of Hilo on Wednesday morning.

The town on Hawaii’s Big Island is known for its stunning Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waianuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colourful mist effects.

The stunning landscape means Hilo is a hotspot for tourists who must be made aware of Hector’s imminent arrival and growing strength.

Hilo is the largest settlement in Hawaii County, Hawaii, and is nestled at the base of two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa, an active volcano, and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano and the site of some of the worlds most significant ground-based astronomical observatories.

There are roughly 43,000 permanent residents residing in Hilo, with 17.1 percent of the population living below the poverty line.

Hilo attracts thousands of tourists every year and is one of Hawaii's most heavily populated areas (Image: GETTY )

The destruction hurricane-force winds could potentially cause the community there would be catastrophic.

Hurricane season officially began in the Eastern Pacific on May 15 and in the Central Pacific on June 1.